Bible Reading Plans that Fit Your Busy Life

The Advent/Arrival of Grace

December 1, 2016

As I perused my inbox, a title grabbed my attention from Crosswalk.com: 25 Scripture Verses to Pray During Advent. I scrolled down past the e-mail without opening it, but I couldn’t resist. It sounded like an article too good to pass up, so I clicked on the link. It’s written by contributing writer, Candace Crabtree of His Mercies are New, I knew I had to share this list with my friends, but I was also struck by the subjects she chose for the scriptures. They weren’t your typical Advent themes.

Advent is a season of expectation of good things coming. Liturgical churches recognize different blessings of Christ during the four weeks before Christmas. Some celebrate hope, love, joy, and peace. Others celebrate expectation, hope, joy and purity. The last candle lit on the Advent wreathe is always the Christ candle that represents the light He brought into the world.

I love the symbolism of the Advent wreathe and the different meanings of the candles, but the Crosswalk article gave scriptures to read and pray about the arrival of grace.

That struck a chord in my spirit. More like a strum of strings along my heart.

Grace.

It’s one of my favorite subjects yet one that I have to remind myself of often.

My friends, it’s so hard to wrap our minds around what the arrival of Grace ushered into the world. For Grace Himself was born under the stars on a cold night. They laid Grace in a manger, a watering trough for animals. They wrapped Him in cloths, the ones in the stable provided for the newborn lambs because His parents were on a road trip. They hadn’t packed baby clothes.

And despite the desperation of the hour, the seemingly lack of provision, God provided an army of stars and the shepherds came and the angels sang, and it was a glorious night the night that Grace took His first breath.

I read in one commentary about Advent that for Christians, we celebrate three advents and arrivals of the Christ. The first one being His arrival as a baby born Savior of the world. The second when we invite Him into our hearts, and the third is yet to come, when He returns to take us home.

As we prepare for the celebration of His first arrival may we thank Him everyday for the arrival of Grace He brought to us. Grace that climbs inside our hearts and changes us from the inside out. Grace that saves us.

"My dear friend, as always, your insightfullness astounds me. Thank you for all you give us to contemplate, it is appreciated. Yours in Christ, J"

- J. Miller, Wilmington, NC

"Andy Lee's words will affect you ... but her heart will stay with you for a long, long time."

- Eva Marie Everson, author, Christy Award Nominee

Thank you so much for your inspiration, stories, and your amazing gift to teach/preach. We have enjoyed meeting you! ~ Julie and Jenna (Mom and daughter attending women's retreat in Portland, Maine.)

"I have the privilege of calling Andy a close and dear friend. We met several years ago and discovered we were both writers. From that point on our hearts have been united in God. Andy is not just a skilled writer but a woman after God’s heart and that’s what makes both her writing and speaking effective and powerful!"

- Sandra Chambers, Wilmington, NC

I have been following you since the night you came and spoke at Brandon Christian Writers. We talked about growing up as a military brats, the similar places we had lived, etc. I don’t comment often, but I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your writing and being with you on our faith journeys.

So often, I feel like you write just what God wants me to hear or study and pray about. I want to confirm for you that your writing does make a difference. Thanks!